Tailgate Panel Assembly with Extended Panel for Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing tailgate panel assembly in vehicles, particularly in SUVs, has a wide cross-sectional structure that compromises rigidity and rear vision due to the placement of wiring and the need for a wide trim, leading to a reduction in the openness of the tailgate glass.
Innovation Solution
A tailgate panel assembly with improved rigidity is achieved by forming a closed cross-section using an outer panel and an inner panel joined directly at the outer side, with an extended panel added to the inner side, allowing for a reduced cross-sectional width and enhanced openness, where the wiring is integrated within the stepped portion of the extended panel, and the trim is positioned to optimize rear vision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the outer panel and inner panel are joined to form a wide cross-sectional structure to secure rigidity, then the structural strength is improved, but the width of the painted area increases and rear vision is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a wide cross-sectional structure to a tall narrow structure by increasing the height dimension of the closed cross-section formed by the outer panel, inner panel, and extended panel. This dimensional change allows the painted area width to be reduced while maintaining structural rigidity through the increased height of the load-bearing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the inner panel into two separate components: the inner panel itself and an extended panel that connects to the outer panel. This segmentation creates a taller, narrower closed cross-sectional structure that improves rigidity while reducing the width of the painted area required.
2Reliability
If the wiring is placed inside the tailgate panel assembly, then the electrical connections are secured, but the trim width must be increased to accommodate the wiring clip
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wiring from the interior space of the tailgate panel assembly and relocates it to the exterior surface of the extended panel. This allows the wiring to be secured externally without requiring additional trim width to accommodate wiring clips inside the assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The wiring is moved from a three-dimensional interior space to a two-dimensional exterior surface of the extended panel, changing its spatial arrangement. This external placement on the stepped portion of the extended panel eliminates the need for internal wiring accommodation space.
3Reliability
If the trim is positioned deeply inside the tailgate glass to wrap around the wiring, then the wiring is secured, but the substantial open area of the tailgate glass is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wiring and its securing mechanism from the interior space behind the tailgate glass and relocates them to the exterior surface of the extended panel. This external placement eliminates the need for the trim to extend deeply inside the glass area, thereby preserving the open area of the tailgate glass.
4Area of stationary object
If the cross-section width is reduced to improve openness, then the rear vision is improved, but the rigidity of the tailgate panel assembly becomes weak
Solution Approach 1:
The patent compensates for the reduced cross-sectional width by increasing the height dimension of the closed cross-section structure. The extended panel creates a taller structure that maintains rigidity through increased height while allowing the width to be reduced for improved openness and rear vision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structural system by joining the outer panel, inner panel, and extended panel to form a closed cross-sectional structure. This composite construction distributes structural loads across multiple components, maintaining rigidity even with a narrower overall width.
Data Source
AI summary
A tailgate panel assembly for a vehicle includes an outer panel and an inner panel. The outer panel and the inner panel are directly joined to each other at an outer side with respect to a widthwise direction of the vehicle. An extended panel is joined to the inner panel and to the outer panel at an inner side with respect to the widthwise direction of the vehicle, thereby forming a closed cross-section.